The former Spurs midfielder succeeded Andre Villas-Boas in December, but a fine start to life in the White Hart Lane hotseat has long been forgotten.

Sherwood's position has come under increasing scrutiny in recent weeks and a report on Monday claimed he would be relieved of his duties this summer.

That speculation was hardly ideal preparation for the match with Sunderland in the evening at White Hart Lane, with the Spurs boss keen to avoid talking about his future before the game.

"I can't say much right now," Sherwood told Sky Sports. "What I can say is tonight is business as usual.

"I'm setting this team up to win a football match for the benefit of the club and the 35,000 Spurs fans who will come and watch. I'll speak at a later stage."

Louis van Gaal, Mauricio Pochettino and Frank de Boer have all been strongly linked with post, although a source close to the situation downplayed talk that Sherwood's immediate future has already been decided.

Press Association Sport was told: "The board will meet with Tim at the end of the season as they would normally to review how things have progressed. Anything else is just speculation."

A number of bookmakers suspended betting on Sherwood being the next Premier League manager to leave their post once the story came out on Monday, while Netherlands manager Van Gaal is overwhelming favourite to come in as his replacement.